Zalgiris scores over 100 against Kedainiai 4

Zalgiris Kaunas (25-3) took another convincing victory in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Nevezis-Optibet Kedainiai (8-20) by 102-78 (32-15, 29-21, 23-21, 18-21) at Zalgirio Arena.

In the first 6 minutes of the game, only Laurynas Birutis (7 points) and Keenan Evans (8 points) scored for Zalgiris, and Kaunas team immediately pulled away 15-6. Kevarrius Hayes dunked it home and Edmond Sumner and Brady Manek scored 5 points apiece to make it 27-13. The first quarter ended with a three-pointer by Lukas Lekavicius and a breakaway by Edmond Sumner, 32-15.

Manek connected from long range, Birutis scored 4 more points, and then Demetre Rivers tallied 12 points to extend Zalgiris’ lead to 52-27. Manek made his third three-pointer, and before the big break Lekavicius, Edgaras Ulanovas and Danielius Lavrinovicius maintained the lead from the free-throw line, 61-36.

In just 2 minutes of the third period, the Zalgiris scored 10 points, as Rivers hit a long-range jumper, Dovydas Giedraitis scored 5 points and Rolands Smits contributed with a dunk, 71-39. Later, Hayes scored from mid-range, Rivers made a layup, Evans hit a three-pointer, Sumner scored 4 points and Birutis scored from under the basket, 84-57.

The fourth period opened with a floater from Manek and a pass from Smits to Hayes, 88-63. Lekavicius made a basket, Rivers hit two more three-pointers, Hayes sank free throws and Tomas Dimsa scored team’s 100th point with a long-range shot (101-72). The final score was 102-78.

Rivers had a best game in Zalgiris jersey, as he finished the game with 23 points. Birutis and Manek contributed 13 points each to the victory.